BY JOE CORTEZ AND KRISTINA HACKER
Turlock Journal
Welcome to the second edition of the Journal’s About Town column by Turlock Journal editor Kristina Hacker and staff writer Joe Cortez. This editorial team mish-mash opinion column will run twice-monthly — on the first and third Saturdays of each month. The column will be wide-ranging, with comment on hard-news items, calendar items, updates, trivia, and other quick-hitters.
VIP VISIT: I was completely surprised on the morning of Jan. 6 when I learned from a community member that Governor Gavin Newsom was — at that moment — in Turlock giving a speech at Stanislaus State previewing his state budget. I was upset that when I finally found a link to this "press conference" that ONLY Sacramento-based media organizations were in attendance. Why would the governor exclude local media? When I contacted the Stanislaus State communications department, I was told that only the governor's office was in charge of media invites and they weren't "allowed" to tell me about the event. I thought to myself, what is the reason behind not including local media in a press conference taking place at a public university in a town that has had a local newspaper since 1904? When I asked the governor’s office that very question, I was informed that all press (local, state and national) for every media event is notified through the office’s media distribution list.
While I appreciated the quick response from Izzy Gardon, the governor’s director of communications, I still feel like there is a disconnect. The governor’s office’s position is that all media throughout the state — from monthly newsletters in the High Sierra to biweekly newspapers in the Valley — should keep track of the daily movements of Gov. Newsom on the off chance that he visits their town. My position is that I don’t have the time or staffing to keep track of the governor. But I would like a heads up if he’s going to be in town — or at least allow the local university to be able to contact local media about the visit.
It's also my understanding that Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak was not invited to the press conference at her alma mater.
I feel like the governor should be building bridges with local media and government, instead of digging trenches.
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JOB WELL DONE: A story on A-1 of this morning’s edition talks about the city’s recent issuance of bonds to raise money for road repairs. A friend of the Turlock Journal — a finance official in a Northern California city with 25 years experience — recently told us that it’s “a good deal for Turlock and a good use of resources.” Setting up the financing this way, instead of doing a little bit here and a little bit there, our pal explains: “You’re getting all the benefit of your money, which will be worth less in the future, right now. It just makes sense.” Kudos to finance director Isaac Moreno and his team at city hall for thinking outside the proverbial box.
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GRUMPY IS GOOD: Speaking of city hall, if you’ve ever attended a city council meeting, or followed one online, you’re almost assuredly familiar with Milt Trieweiler, Bob Puffer, Ron Bridegroom, or John Gabelon. During a council meeting, it’s a virtual lock that one, if not all four, will stride to the podium at different times to address a certain topic. Sure, they often come off like Turlock’s version of “Grumpy Old Men,” but these gents are always interested, always probing, always letting the council know that citizens are, indeed, paying attention. Whether or not you agree with their stances, you have to admire their devotion to city causes. Turlock needs more “grumpy old men,” “grumpy old women,” even “grumpy teens,” paying a visit to city hall.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS: One week from today, on Jan. 25, is the 10th annual Kayla Bernardi Bee Positive Foundation Run/Walk at Turlock High School’s Joe Debely Stadium at 9 a.m.. The foundation, named in honor of Bernardi, who died from leukemia in 2015 at age 20, bolsters local charitable organizations and scholarship funds. Sign up, or just stop by to cheer on the runners and walkers.
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TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the first president of what was then known as Stanislaus State College? A bonus pat on the back if you can tell us where they originally held classes.
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LAST WEEK’S ANSWER: Hollywood starlet Hedy Lamarr lived in the residence on the corner of Shasta and Sierra drives, after marrying a local attorney in 1963. Born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler in Austria, Lamarr was also an inventor, pioneering the technology that would one day form the basis for WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth technology, according to the National Women’s History Museum.
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PUMP THE BRAKES: An email from reader Scott Atherton: “My wife and I enjoyed the "About Town” column that began on Jan. 4. Keep up the good work! To give you a heads-up on the trivia info … going through microfilm in past years I’ve not seen that Hedy Lamarr ever lived on Sierra Drive. It was the home of her in-laws, Lewis, Sr. and Hazel Boies, and after their son, Lewis Boies Jr., married Hedy Lamar in the 1960s, they came to Turlock for a visit with the elder Boieses. Turlock Historical Society has a file on the Turlock connection with Hedy Lamarr.” Thank you, Scott!